KS4 Changes to English GCSE English Language Changes Speaking and Listening separately certified No longer included in overall result Examination now worth 60% Written Controlled Assessment 40% Emphasis on reading and writing skills Accuracy and spelling punctuation and grammar Whole school literacy focus

KS4 Academic Mentoring Objective: to see our young people fulfilling their target grades and to tackle underachievement Academic mentoring is a form of relentless pursuit to address: organisation revision meeting deadlines motivation

How does Academic Mentoring work? Mentoring is targeted at students who are underperforming in several GCSE subjects Some Year 11 students have started academic mentoring and received mentoring last year Letters are sent out to parents – you will be informed Mentoring will take place for 20 minutes each week with Mr R Harrold or member of SLT Students will be withdrawn from lessons/tutor time A mentoring form will be sent home with the student as a record and to communicate with parents Students may be expected to attend Afternoon Study in the library when the mentor recommends this

Subject Intervention Departments will address significant underachievement in subject areas Extra classes or booster and revision sessions will be offered

Year 10 Academic Year Autumn Interim Report: 6 December 2013 Year 10 Progress Day: 23 January 2014 Year 10 Parent Consultation Evening: 27 February KS4 Revision Evening – Parents and Students 6 March 2014 Spring Interim Report to parents: 28 March 2014 Year 10 Two day Retreat, Kintbury: 23–26 June 2014 Written Report to parents: w/c 7 July 2014

Year 11 Academic Year Year 11 Retreat: 10 – 14 October 2013 Long Half term: Revision for Mocks Mock Exams: 26 November – 4 December 2013 Mock Results Assembly: 19 December 2013 Student Progress Day 1: 24 January 2014 Full Written Reports to parents: w/c 22 January 2014 Parent Consultation Evening: Thursday, 13 February 2014 Poetry Live: 7 February 2014 KS4 Revision Evening – Parents and Students 6 March 2014 Interim Report 2 & RAG to parents: 28 March 2014 Exams commence: 6 May 2014 Half Term – Study and Revision

Controlled Assessment Different degrees of control – high, medium, low English – Examination conditions Preparation is vital Absence during preparation and assessment has a massive impact Teaching and Learning time is affected GCSE homework and study vital preparation

Revision and Review HOW MUCH DO WE REMEMBER A WEEK AFTER A LESSON? 10% withNo Revision 50% after1st Revision 80% after2 nd Revision 90% after3 rd Revision Revision Evening – 6 March 2014

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“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail” Proverb